A US military appeals court has denied an effort by Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin to block potential plea deals for 9/11 suspects Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid bin Attash, and Mustafa al-Hawsawi.
The agreements, which could spare the accused from the death penalty, may involve guilty pleas to the 2001 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.
The ruling upheld a prior decision by Colonel Matthew McCall, stating Austin lacked standing to overturn plea deals initially approved by a Pentagon appointee.
Torture’s Impact on Trials
The case, marred by accusations of CIA torture, has faced prolonged delays. Legal experts suggest the use of “enhanced interrogation” could hinder convictions.
Mohammed and his co-defendants are being tried under a military commission system outside the traditional US justice framework.
Controversy and Ongoing Appeals
Austin’s attempt to revoke the deals followed pushback from lawmakers and 9/11 victims’ families, who criticized the agreements as too lenient. Despite the court’s decision, Austin retains the option to appeal to the US Court of Appeals, potentially causing further delays.
Guantanamo Bay and Broader Implications
The suspects remain detained at Guantanamo Bay, a facility emblematic of post-9/11 US counterterrorism practices. The Biden administration has transferred several detainees in recent years, yet the prison continues to house 26 individuals, including 14 eligible for transfer.
The plea deals could mark a turning point in the protracted legal battles surrounding 9/11 accountability, offering a resolution while reigniting debates about justice, torture, and the US legal system.